[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H1017-H1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRINTING REVISED UPDATED VERSION OF ``BLACK AMERICANS IN CONGRESS, 
                              1870-1989''

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 43) authorizing the printing of a 
revised and updated version of the House document entitled ``Black 
Americans in Congress, 1870-1989''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 43

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. PRINTING OF REVISED VERSION OF ``BLACK AMERICANS 
                   IN CONGRESS, 1870-1989''.

       (a) In General.--An updated version of House Document 101-
     117, entitled ``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989'' (as 
     revised by the Library of Congress), shall be printed as a 
     House document by the Public Printer, with illustrations and 
     suitable binding, under the direction of the Committee on 
     House Administration of the House of Representatives.
       (b) Number of Copies.--In addition to the usual number, 
     there shall be printed 30,700 copies of the document referred 
     to in subsection (a), of which--
       (1) 25,000 shall be for the use of the Committee on House 
     Administration of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) 5,700 shall be for the use of the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I have just a few statements I want to make on this 
resolution. In the 101st Congress, House Document 101-117, entitled 
``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989,'' was printed and distributed 
to the House and the Senate. This document noted the distinguished 
service of 66 African Americans who had served in the Congress up to 
that point in time. In fact, when I was elected to the 104th Congress, 
we happened to have this particular book

[[Page H1018]]

that was in our office, and it is just a fascinating history and 
documentation of the 66 African Americans who had served in the 
Congress. It really makes for an interesting reading and I think pays 
tribute to those African Americans.
  Since that document was printed, some 40 additional African Americans 
have served in the United States Congress. House Concurrent Resolution 
43 will simply direct the Library of Congress to revise the biographies 
of Members included in the first volume, so it will be an update, and 
also provide for the inclusion of African American Members of the House 
and Senate who have been elected since the document was last published.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this 
measure. It has been good working with our distinguished colleague, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the 
committee. I know that all the members of the committee feel that this 
is an important document. I think it is a good document also that can 
be viewed by citizens across the country. It has been a pleasure to 
work with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) on this.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, obviously I rise in strong support of this resolution. I 
was delighted to introduce this legislation just over 3 weeks ago in 
conjunction with the chairman of our committee, the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Ney), who has been an example I think for all the Congress as to 
how to work in a bipartisan, productive, positive fashion; and I thank 
the gentleman for that. I see some of the majority staff on the floor 
as well. I want to thank them as well for the very cooperative way in 
which they are working with our minority staff to make sure that we do 
our business in a very productive, positive way. I very much appreciate 
it.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution authorizes the printing, as the chairman 
has said, of a revised edition of the House document last printed in 
the 101st Congress, 11 years ago, entitled ``Black Americans in 
Congress, 1870-1989.'' I thank my distinguished colleague from Ohio for 
facilitating and cosponsoring this resolution. His support has been 
critical in bringing this resolution to the floor so quickly.
  I also thank my 43 other distinguished cosponsors, including the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the Chair of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, who hopefully will be here in just a few 
minutes; the entire caucus membership; and the gentleman from Oklahoma 
(Mr. Watts), chairman of the House Republican Conference himself, and a 
distinguished African American, who have cosponsored this legislation.
  The first edition of Black Americans in Congress, Mr. Speaker, was 
published in 1976 during our country's bicentennial. This was just over 
a century after the first African American to serve in Congress, Hiram 
Revels of Mississippi, was elected to the Senate. That election, of 
course, came after a great civil war was waged to ensure that African 
Americans not only were considered to be full persons, but also would 
be considered among those included in the ringing phrase in the 
Declaration of Independence that we hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men, and we should have added, but had not at that 
time, and women, are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator 
with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness. We fought a great civil war to address the 
grievance of non-inclusion of those of African descent. It was not 
until the last century, in the 1920s, that women were given the full 
franchise in America.
  It is appropriate that we recognize inclusion. We are going to have 
today the passage of this resolution, to recognize those of African 
American descent who have served in this Congress and made an 
historical contribution to this country. Next week I expect us to bring 
forward out of our committee another resolution which will recognize 
all of the women who have served in Congress to the present date.
  The second edition of this document, which was published in 1990, 
contains brief biographies, photographs, and other historical 
information about Senator Revels and the 65 other distinguished African 
Americans who had served as of January 23, 1990. The volume is a 
treasured resource in libraries across America.
  It is through this document, Mr. Speaker, that not only can young 
African Americans, but young people of all races, colors and creeds can 
be inspired by the biographies it contains, so that irrespective of who 
they might be, they can aspire to be honored by their neighbors and 
constituents and serve in the Congress of the United States.
  This book explores not only the lives and careers of Members, but 
also provides a window on the many obstacles that have confronted 
African Americans as they made their way to the halls of this Congress. 
For example, Mr. Speaker, the biography of Senator Revels reveals how, 
having been born to free parents in 1827, he pursued a career of 
religious work in several States, including my own State of Maryland.
  Settling in Mississippi after the Civil War, Revels won election to 
the State senate. After his colleagues sent him to Washington to 
complete Jefferson Davis' term in the United States Senate, an irony 
that I am sure is not lost on any of the readers of this biography, 
some Senators bitterly opposed his seating, arguing, among other 
things, that he did not meet the 9-year citizenship requirement, having 
just secured full citizenship with the ratification of the 14th 
Amendment in 1868.
  Think of that argument, Mr. Speaker. ``We have prohibited you from 
being a citizen. You are now free and a full citizen because we have 
adopted a constitutional amendment, but you do not qualify for 
membership in this body because, as a result of us not according you 
full citizenship, you have not met the 9-year requirement.''
  Fortunately, however, the Senate rejected those arguments and seated 
Mr. Revels on February 25, 1870, by a vote of 48 to 8.
  The first African American Member of this House, Representative 
Joseph Rainey of South Carolina, was born the son of slave parents who 
managed to buy their family's freedom. When the Civil War began, Rainey 
was drafted and compelled to serve on a Confederate blockade runner, 
but he escaped to Bermuda. Returning to South Carolina after the war, 
Rainey was elected to the State senate, and later to complete an 
unexpired term in this body, taking office in December of 1870. Rainey 
served five terms with distinction and became the first Member of 
African ancestry to preside over this House.
  Since Senator Revels and Representative Rainey took their oaths as 
Members of the 41st Congress, 104 additional African Americans have 
trod the path they so courageously blazed. A total of 40 additional 
distinguished African Americans have served since publication of the 
1990 edition, 32 of whom are serving today.
  Mr. Speaker, one need only to look around the House to see a new 
generation of African American leaders serving the American people ably 
and proudly. It is important, Mr. Speaker, that we recognize their 
contribution and chronicle their service, not for them individually, 
not to aggrandize them or to expand their egos. It is to recognize the 
hallmark of America, diversity and inclusion. It is our strength, and 
it is our promise to all our people. Even more importantly, it is 
crucial that we continually seek to inspire young people, as I said 
earlier, all across America, that they can aspire to public service, 
whatever the color of their skin and however humble their circumstances 
might have been. Adopting this resolution is yet another way to do 
that.
  Mr. Speaker, the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie 
Bernice Johnson) has noted that the 1990 edition was dedicated to 
Representative Mickey Leland of Texas, a colleague with whom I had the 
honor of serving.

                              {time}  1030

  He perished in a plane crash in August 1989 while on a humanitarian 
mission in Africa.
  The gentlewoman has suggested that this next edition be dedicated to 
our late colleague Julian Dixon who died just last December, shocking 
and saddening us all after 22 years of service in this House. It was my 
privilege to serve

[[Page H1019]]

with him for almost two decades. He was a wonderful human being and a 
great Member of this body. I cannot think of a more appropriate thing 
to do.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) joins me 
in that sentiment. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to support the motion.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I obviously would concur, and I have no objection to the 
volume being dedicated to our late colleague from California, Julian 
Dixon, in honor of the tremendous 22 years of his life that he and his 
family give in distinguished service to this chamber and to citizens 
across the country.
  I think we all recognize that his contribution was absolutely 
tremendous, well respected, and we all miss not having Julian Dixon 
with us. I do agree with that.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman of West 
Virginia (Mrs. Capito) control the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Without objection, the time 
allocated to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) will be controlled by 
the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the last version of this publication, the 1990 edition, 
contained biographical information on 66 African Americans who served 
in the House and Senate, from 1870 through 1990. The updating of this 
publication will allow Members, scholars and the public access to 
information on every African American to ever serve in Congress, 
including the 40 Members who have entered the House and Senate after 
the printing of the last edition of this book.
  The first African-American Member of Congress, Hiram Rhodes Revels of 
Mississippi, served in the Senate during the 41st Congress. Since that 
time, more than 100 other distinguished African-American legislators 
have served in the Congress. It is appropriate that, as we start the 
first Congress of this new millennium, that we recognize the service of 
African-American Members, and I urge my colleagues to support the 
passage of H. Con. Res. 43.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to myself simply to 
introduce the next speaker.
  I indicated that we are passing this resolution today, and next week 
I expect the House will pass a resolution sponsored by the gentlewoman 
from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) and co-sponsored by every other woman Member of 
the House to recognize the contribution of women.
  We have a distinguished African-American woman who now chairs the 
Congressional Black Caucus, an outstanding leader in the State Senate 
in Texas for many years, and an outstanding leader in this House. She 
is not only a Texas leader, she is a national leader as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, I am honored to urge the passage of H. Con. 
Res. 43 which authorizes the revised printing of the House document 
entitled ``Black Americans in Congress.''
  I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland for his foresight and 
leadership on this issue; and also the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), 
the chairman of the Committee on House Administration. I know the 
gentleman from Ohio has many obligations which touch and concern the 
efficient management and operation of this institution. I want to thank 
the gentleman for including the important task of updating this book as 
a part of his mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that if this resolution is approved, that the 
revised version be dedicated to my friend and colleague, Representative 
Julian Dixon, who passed away 3 months ago. As we know since the 
original printing of this book, 40 new African-American Members of 
Congress have walked through these hallowed halls. Many Members who are 
here now were not here when the book was first printed, including 
myself.
  Mr. Speaker, our being here is not an individual accomplishment, it 
is a testament to a people. African Americans in this country have gone 
from chains to Congress, from auction block to Wall Street, from 
segregation to Silicon Valley. African Americans have been a moving and 
integral force in the history and development of this country, and we 
will continue to press forward. As members of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, our motto has always been ``No permanent friends, no permanent 
enemies, just permanent issues.''
  This motto encompasses our goal of ensuring that every American can 
enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity. It is not a utopian ideal 
or an insurmountable hurdle. It is the concrete realization of Dr. 
Martin Luther King's message when he said that we are trying to make 
America true to its promise.
  The individual stories in this book are a tribute to those who have 
worked toward fulfilling America's promise. Their struggles serve as a 
road map to guide us forward in our struggle together as a people and 
as a Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 
sponsoring this legislation once again, and say once again that it is 
important that young people of African-American descent and even new 
immigrants must understand that they are role models and they can 
achieve, they can aspire. The opportunities are possible, and with a 
documentation of this sort I feel that it will be a major part of 
libraries throughout this country so that there will be a bright future 
planned for, worked for, thought about, and achieved by those who feel 
perhaps now that the opportunity simply is not there. They need to know 
their history, and I thank my colleagues very much for supporting this 
resolution that will further document that history and progress.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, our next speaker is a member of the Committee on House 
Administration who has served with great distinction, a leader in one 
of the great cities of the world in which we articulated so compelling 
our belief that all men were created equal. We did not live up to the 
reality of that statement, as compelling and profound as it was, 
because I think we did not realize the full ramifications of what we 
said. It took Martin Luther King and thousands of other courageous 
African Americans to call our attention to the shortcomings between our 
actions and our words.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), who has been a great leader and a great 
supporter on the Committee on House Administration.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Maryland, 
the ranking member, and let me quickly state that I support this 
resolution. I think it is important. I am a Member that has served in a 
number of capacities, on the Committee on House Administration, the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, both committees which 
really serve this institution; and I think all of us have a 
responsibility to serve the institution and not just serve our own 
districts and our own needs.
  Part of that service is that this institution has to be respectful of 
its own history and it is important given the 13,000 or so individuals 
who have served in the House, and some number close to a hundred who 
have been African Americans, I think it is important that this book 
document the life and work of African-American Members. It should be 
updated. It would be important for students all across the globe who 
study the United States Congress to read the stories of people like my 
predecessor, the Congressman from the second district, William H. Gray, 
who rose to be the highest ranking African American at that time to 
serve in the Congress; to learn about the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Watts) and his leadership in the majority party; to understand the 
legacy of an Adam Clayton Powell who passed into law more measures 
which have an impact on tens of millions of Americans than any of us 
could talk about on a day on this floor,

[[Page H1020]]

from Head Start to the minimum wage law. It would be helpful for people 
who want to study this institution to know that there was a time in 
which African-American Members who served here could not eat in the 
Member's dining room, could not check into a hotel in this city, and 
nonetheless came to this floor and worked on committees and championed 
the causes of their districts and helped move this Nation towards a 
more perfect Union.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for authoring this 
resolution to update and revise this historical document that is 
reflective of the life and legacy of so many who have served, and 
moreover for the tens of millions of people whom they have represented 
here in the halls of Congress. I urge all of my colleagues to support 
the resolution.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I have one additional speaker, the distinguished 
representative from Texas who has the distinct honor of succeeding 
Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland in representing their district of 
Texas.
  Barbara Jordan was one of the most compelling and articulate voices 
on behalf of the Constitution of the United States and the principles 
that it set forth.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland and I thank the members of the majority for 
assisting in bringing this legislation to the floor and for the 
bipartisan aspect of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that there are many things that the House can 
convene to do, and in many instances there is vigorous debate because 
that is what democracy is all about. I am very proud to be able to 
stand today to add support to the leadership of the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) on this legislation and many others, and proud to 
be an original co-sponsor of legislation that brings dignity to the 
service of so many Americans.
  After the Emancipation Proclamation and reconstruction began, the 
best and the brightest of the then-free slaves rose up to be governors 
and Senators and Members of Congress. It was not an easy time for them 
and they were not given in many instances the appropriate recognition, 
but they served in this august body, a body that when you bring guests 
to walk through the halls, they are in awe at the history and respect 
of this institution.
  Those African Americans who served during reconstruction were in many 
instances described in ugly terms, and yet they were lawyers and 
teachers and property owners in some instances. And they served at the 
very best. It was then in 1901 that George White, an African American, 
a freed slave, went to the floor of the House to be able to speak to 
his colleagues in a very dramatic but sad way. For at that time as Jim 
Crow raised his head, George White, the last African American, went to 
the floor to say good-bye for his seat no longer existed, but he 
indicated that the Negro, like the Phoenix, would rise again.
  Mr. Speaker, it took some 30 years before Oscar De Priest came to 
this House, and it had to be done with collaboration with other 
Members, to be sure that he could be seated.
  I would simply say, and I thank the gentleman for the time, that that 
is a history that is rich and it is a history that is deep and should 
be told. And as we moved into the 1940s and 1950s, more African 
Americans came to the United States Congress with their respective 
histories. I believe it is appropriate as we have grown, not for any 
self-enhancement, but to be able to show the world and not just America 
that we are truly a democracy and this is the people's House.
  Tragically in this century or at least in these last decades, we have 
had one Senator and previously a Senator that served in the 1960s and 
1970s and I believe early eighties, Senator Brooks, and so we have not 
done as well in the United States Senate, but I am gratified for this 
rendition that will pay tribute again to the Honorable Barbara Jordan, 
who eloquently stated her belief in this democracy during the 
impeachment hearings of 1974; and of course eloquently acknowledged the 
deep love of this institution of Congressman Mickey Leland, who was the 
founder and organizer of the Select Committee on Hunger, and lost his 
life trying to serve those who were less fortunate than he.

                              {time}  1045

  We now come forward and, hopefully, Julian Dixon, who we have lost, 
who will be honored and many, many others already served with such 
distinction. This is an excellent contribution to the history of this 
great body. This brings us closer together.
  Although we realize we differ on opinions on many issues, it is 
certainly a fine moment in this Congress, I say to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), when we can come together to celebrate or 
commemorate the very few African Americans that have served and 
expressed their love of this country representing not only African 
Americans and their respective districts but representing all of 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the authors of the legislation and 
commend those who will eventually have the opportunity to peruse and 
read this document of history, a good reading and good history.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for 
her very cogent comments, for her contribution to this body, and to 
enhancing the history of the contribution of African Americans to the 
House and to this country.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me thank the gentlewoman from West 
Virginia (Mrs. Capito) for her contribution to this debate and her 
participation in passing this resolution, and again to thank the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), the chairman of the Committee on House 
Administration, and his staff for working so diligently to ensure the 
rapid passage of this resolution.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution brought by 
my good friend from Maryland.
  Last year, Mr. Hoyer and former Chairman Thomas helped move a bill of 
mine through their committee and onto the floor which authorized the 
preservation of veterans' war memories through an interactive archive 
at the Library of Congress. I was pleased that my colleagues here in 
the House, as well as those in the Senate, approved the Veterans Oral 
History Project unanimously. The bill was signed into law last October; 
a fitting tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of our war 
veterans.
  We are now here to authorize a measure to acknowledge the special 
contributions of Members of our own body. Many of the African-American 
Representatives elected to this House over the decades have been 
pioneers in their own times, and updating the book that recognizes this 
unique group of elected leaders is a wise and worthy investment on our 
part.
  History must accurately reflect the efforts of African-American 
leaders elected to national office, efforts which, at various times and 
locations in this country, were heroic in the face of both quiet and 
overt racism and bigotry.
  This bill will assist historians and students of history to 
understand the who and what of African-Americans running and winning 
national office, so that each American can reflect on the how and why.
  Again, I applaud my good friend from Maryland for this effort at 
preserving this body's and this Nation's valuable history. And I look 
forward to the updated copy of this valuable book.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise in support 
of H. Con. Res. 43, a bill authorizing the printing of a revised and 
updated version of the House document entitled ``Black Americans in 
Congress, 1870-1989.'' I would also like to thank my colleague and 
friend, Congressman Steny Hoyer for introducing this very important and 
critical measure.
  Mr. Speaker, with the convening of the 107th Congress, a total of 106 
African-Americans have been elected to the Congress in the history of 
this nation; 4 in the Senate and 102 in the House. In addition to these 
106, John W. Menard (R-LA) won a disputed election in 1868 but was not 
permitted to take his seat in Congress. Whereas, the number of African-
Americans who have served in Congress over the past 130 years (1870-
2001) has been small, our contribution has been enormous and invaluable 
to our society. It is important to continue to preserve our 
contributions and legacies to this institution because although we have 
remained few in numbers, our presence and work continues to be heard

[[Page H1021]]

throughout the halls of Congress. Individually and collectively, under 
the direction of the Congressional Black Caucus, our work has and 
continues to affect individuals throughout the nation and the world. 
Our dear and beloved colleague, Congressman Micky Leland was a great 
humanitarian, who championed the cause to end hunger in Ethiopia. His 
life was tragically cut short in a plane crash in the mountains of 
Ethiopia. The late Congressman Julian Dixon who pursued his long-time 
involvement in ensuring the nation's commitment to civil rights through 
his advocacy for the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, the 
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and the Community Relations Service. 
Former Representative Louis Stokes distinguished himself as the leader 
and founder of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, whose 
purpose is to address and eliminate health disparities. Representative 
John Conyers, who is the second longest serving Member of Congress and 
the longest serving African-American member of the Congress in U.S. 
History, continues to work on behalf of social justice and economic 
opportunity. These are just some of the historical contributions of 
African-Americans to the U.S. Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important that we continue to document the work 
and accomplishments of African-Americans in Congress by updating the 
document entitled ``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989.'' This 
document contains invaluable information for children across the 
nation, especially children of African-American descent. I encourage my 
colleagues to support this bipartisan measure.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the 
University of Akron's Political Resources Page and the Congressional 
Research Service both of whom were very helpful in helping me acquire 
this information.


                        i. historical background

     African-Americans in Congress
  Of the more than 11,000 representatives in U.S. Congress since 1789, 
there have been 105 black Members of Congress. 101 elected to the House 
and four to the Senate.
  Most of these members entered the institution in two distinct waves. 
The first wave started during Reconstruction. The first black Member of 
Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-Ms) who served in the Senate during 
the 41st Congress (1870). The first black Member of the House was 
Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC). He also served in the 41st Congress.
  A total of 22 blacks who were in Congress came from states with high 
black populations--the former slave states of the South.
  From 1870 to 1897 South Carolina elected eight blacks to the House.
  Mississippi and Louisiana each elected one black to the House.
  Between the Fifty-second and Fifty-sixth Congresses (1891-1901) there 
was only one black member per session.
  Four former slave states--Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, and West 
Virginia--never elected any black representative during the 
Reconstruction era despite very sizable black populations.
     Second Wave of Blacks in Congress
  The second wave began in 1928 with the election of Republican Oscar 
DePriest from an inner-city Chicago District. He was defeated in 1934 
by Arthur Mitchell, the first black Democrat elected to Congress.
  In 1944, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was elected Congressman in Harlem, 
New York. For the first time since 1891 there was more than one black 
representative in the House.
  In 1950, there was another breakthrough for black representation when 
Representative William Dawson (R-Il) gained enough seniority to become 
the first black to chair a standing committee, the Government 
Operations Committee.
  In 1960, Powell became Chairman of the more important Education and 
Labor Committee.
  Another breakthrough came in 1966 when Edward W. Brooke was elected 
as a Republican Senator from Massachusetts, a state whose population 
was less than 3 percent African-American. Brooke served until his 
defeat in 1978.
     African-American Women in Congress
  In 1968, Shirley Chisolm (D-NY) became the first African-American 
woman to serve in the House. She served in the 91st through the 97th 
Congresses (1969-1983). Since that time, 20 other African-American 
women have been elected.
  In 1992, Carol Moseley Braun (D-Il) became the first African-American 
woman and the first African-American Democrat to serve in the Senate.
  Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-Tx) became the first African-American woman 
from the South to serve in Congress.
     Party Affiliation
  The majority of African-American Members have been Democrats. There 
have been 78 African-American Democrats and 27 African-American 
Republicans. African-American members of Congress have served on all 
major committees. Sixteen have served as committee chairmen, 15 in the 
House and one in the Senate.


                              ii. closing

  Mr. Speaker, the list of great African-American leaders could go on 
and on. And it is continually growing.
  Take a look around this very body and you will see a new generation 
of African-American leaders who serve the American people. I emphasize 
this point because the African-American struggle for rights has 
benefited all Americans. Whether they be poor, women, minority or 
disabled, all Americans have benefited from our attempt to make our 
democracy accountable to all of its citizens. It is important that we 
recognize the contribution of African American Members of Congress and 
their service to the American people. It's important that we capture 
the rich lessons of their lives which will inspire generations to come.
  I have joined more than 40 of our colleagues in cosponsoring a 
concurrent, bipartisan resolution for the printing of a revised edition 
of the House document entitled, ``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-
1989.''
  The latest edition of this work, published in 1990, contains brief 
biographies, photographs and other important historical information 
about the 66 distinguished African Americans who had served in either 
chamber of Congress as of January 23, 1990. Since that time, another 40 
distinguished African Americans have served.
  On the heels of this past February's national celebration of Black 
History Month, I encourage my colleagues to support this important 
resolution, which directs the Library of Congress to revise and update 
this volume. It will be a tremendous resource for Members, scholars, 
students and others.
  Mr. Hoyer's action on behalf of this measure is evidence of how far 
our nation has come. When the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by 
President Johnson in 1965, there were five African Americans in 
Congress. Today, there are nearly 40.
  We have come a long way, but our work is not yet done. This past 
election has illustrated the need for us to reform our democracy. Never 
again should we be forced to relive the civil rights battles fought so 
long ago. The events of the 2000 Presidential Election was a potent 
reminder of a legacy of disenfranchisement that we believed existed 
only in the annals of our nation history.
  The election of African Americans to Congress was the result of the 
dedication of many of those commemorated in the publication Black 
Americans in Congress. Revising and updating this publication speaks 
symbolically to the continued struggle not only to maintain the right 
to vote, but to ensure that all votes are counted once cast.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 43, 
legislation to authorize printing of a revised and updated version of 
the book ``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989.'' This volume is an 
important chronicle of the history of the United States Congress, and 
the diversity that has made up this Congress for over one hundred 
years.
  The printing of an updated version of ``Black Americans in Congress'' 
will serve as an educational and historical reference for all 
Americans. We must never forget that there were Black Members of this 
Congress in 1870, just five years after the end of slavery. We must not 
hesitate to teach our children that there were, at one time, Members of 
Congress who had barely secured their own right to vote. As we continue 
to work towards the promise of our democratic system, it becomes even 
more relevant to recognize those past Members of Congress who struggle, 
in sometimes hostile environments, to serve our country. Special thanks 
go to my good friend Steny Hoyer and the Members of the Administration 
Committee who have shown such leadership on this important issue. As a 
founding member and Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, I encourage 
the House to pass this resolution.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support, and encourage my 
colleagues to support, the authorization of a revised and updated 
printing of the House Document ``Black Americans in Congress, 1870-
1989''. The achievement of African-Americans here in Congress is truly 
remarkable and should be accurately documented for history.
  In total, 103 African-Americans have taken their place in United 
States history as Congressional leaders. Their constituents know that 
they have and will continue to work to ensure that all citizens are 
represented equally and fairly. African-American Members of Congress 
continually strive to make sure that no one is left behind in this 
great nation.
  The Congressional Black Caucus has an illustrious history, which 
includes efforts such as civil rights demonstrations and boycotts, a 
successful campaign for enactment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. 
national holiday, sanctions against apartheid in South Africa, and 
support for democracy in Haiti. In particular, I

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want to thank the members of the Black Caucus who have repeatedly 
visited my district, namely Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson-Lee, John 
Conyers, Juanita Millender-McDonald, former Rep. Alan Wheat, former 
Rep. Mervyn Dymally, former Rep. Ron Dellums, the late former Rep. 
Augustus Hawkins, and the late Julian Dixon. These members have helped 
encourage African-American political activism in the Inland Empire.
  More importantly, African-American Congressmen and women are role 
models for youth who can better identify with people who look and think 
as they do. Representative Barbara Jordan embodies this. She 
represented Houston, Texas and articulated with skill and knowledge the 
needs of not only African-Americans but also other minority 
communities. Among her legislative achievements was an amendment to the 
Voting Rights Act, which provided for the printing of bilingual 
ballots.
  Oscar DePriest was the first Black Congressman in the twentieth 
century. When he took his seat, he was the only Black member in the 
chamber. Adam Clayton Powell, a magnificent orator, was both a 
Congressman and a Pastor. He understood the needs of Blacks in his 
district because he spoke to them and more importantly, listened to 
them every week. He served 11 terms in Congress and was chair of the 
influential Education and Labor Committee. New York's Shirley Chisolm 
was the first female elected to Congress and fought fervently for the 
Title I program that benefited disadvantaged children throughout the 
country. This is a very abbreviated list of accomplished public 
servants who gave their time and talent for the benefit of all 
Americans.
  The working legacy of these remarkable 103 African-Americans must be 
preserved. We must recognize their service as well as the service of 
the current African-American Members of Congress. They continue the 
struggle for freedom, equality, and full-representation for all as 
guaranteed by our Constitution. We must honor their struggle. That is 
why I support, and I ask my colleagues to support, the updating of this 
important house document.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res 
43.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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